Description:

Tetzlaff and Forkert recorded an identical program to this album for EMI in 2002 (live at the Spannungen Festival), which was highly acclaimed for its sharp technique, sense of style, and good flow. According to the commentary on the original recording, the reason for re-recording the program 14 years later is that both musicians have matured as performers and have gained more freedom as a duo through repeated collaborations, and "now (in 2002) they are like different people and have much more to say. Both musicians find in Brahms' music a reflection on a life that has not been smooth sailing, and Folkert says the point of playing these works is "the paradoxes of melancholic happiness and cheerful desolation, which are expressed with blissful resonance. The point of playing these works is to "express them with blissful resonance" and this is the core of this re-recording. In fact, the duo spends more time on each piece on this recording than on the 2002 recording, not only emphasizing the good flow of the melody but also subtly emphasizing the shadows and hesitant passages, so that the music sounds more delicate and precise and the flavor is enhanced, and many scenes and emotions seem to rise to the surface. This is a memorable performance that shows the boundary that this duo has reached. (C)RS